Rio Hondo QB named All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year

RIO HONDO - The expectations always had been there for Rio Hondo's Joseph Vela.

And in 2008, he certainly did not leave anyone disappointed.

Vela accumulated over 3,000 yards on offense (1,972 yards rushing, 1,071 passing) with 33 total touchdowns in 13 games. His rushing total was the second-highest all time for a quarterback in the Valley. He also helped the Cats to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history.

For his efforts, Vela is the 2008 Valley Freedom Newspapers' Offensive Player of the Year.

"I had high expectations, but they weren't all that I was worried about," said the usually-reserved Vela. "I knew the numbers would come, but it was a team thing first. For any of those (expectations) to happen, we would have to play well as a team in order to meet those expectations. For them to actually happen, it's awesome. But I think it's more awesome that our team got to the third round."

To know just how good Vela was in 2008, just ask the coaches he played against.

"He was the best athlete on the field," said one coach.

"The big thing they did was give the ball to Vela," another said. "That guy can flat out play football."

And during Rio Hondo's historic season, Vela proved his worth time and time again.

Perhaps his four best performances of the year came when it mattered most. Against Class 5A Laredo Alexander during Week 3,

Vela helped Rio Hondo rally in the second half and beat the bigger Bulldogs 49-42. Vela finished the game with 270 total yards, with 186 coming on the ground. Then in Week 9 against Lyford, Vela broke a 50-50 tie with a 2-yard TD run as Rio Hondo won the shootout 57-50. Vela chipped in 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The next week in the regular season finale, Vela went berserk for 397 yards offensively (241 rushing) as the Bobcats claimed their second-straight District 32-3A crown with a win over La Feria.

With history on the line two weeks later, Vela put on quite the show.

Against Devine in the area round, Vela captained another fourth-quarter comeback, scoring the game winning TD in a 48-43 win. He rushed for a season-high 248 yards and tallied three scores in the game.

"I feel like I always played where my potential needed to be," Vela said. "Especially in the big games. I felt like I had to show up and play a big game. I wasn't a vocal leader, but I felt like I led by example, and I think it showed on Friday nights when I played."

To no surprise, Vela was quick to defer the attention to his team.

"It was our team chemistry," said Vela, who was named District 32-3A MVP. "We hung out with guys from defense, special teams on the weekends. We knew each other football wise, but we knew each other personality wise. We knew how to get the best performances out of each other."

That cohesiveness allowed not only Vela, but running back in Trevor David (1,248 yards) and a gritty offensive line to each show their talents as well.

"I think to get an award like this is a team effort," Vela said. "Without the o-line, nothing could happen. They're so good at what they do and I love them to death. Without another back to be another threat, you can't make plays. It's a team thing. The guys know that, and I always thanked them.

"Deep down they knew they were the reasons (why we succeeded)."

Armando Garza covers sub-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at (956) 430-6255 or at armandog@valleystar.com

Joseph Vela, Rio Hondo
Offensive Player of the Year
Class: Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Bio: A three-year starter for the Bobcats (the last two as quarterback), Vela rushed for 1,972 yards this season, the second-highest single season rushing total for a quarterback in Valley history. ... He accumulated over 3,000 yards offensively (1,071 passing) and also had 6 interceptions on defense. ... He was part of a Rio Hondo team that advanced past the area round for the first time in school history.
Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees.
One thing fans don't know about Vela: He enjoys going hunting and fishing in his spare time.
When not playing football, Vela is: Usually watching sports highlight reels on YouTube. Any level, (high school, NFL), any sport (football, baseball, golf).